NCERT warns against fake Class 9 textbook amid Emergency chapter controversy

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has said that a fake version of its Class 9 Social Science textbook is being shared online. The issue has become important because it is linked to a chapter about the Emergency period in India, which has created political discussion.

NCERT has clearly said that the book being circulated on social media and messaging platforms is not official. The council has warned that strict legal action will be taken against those spreading fake or pirated copies.

Students, teachers, and parents have been advised not to trust these versions and to use only official NCERT books.

The council said that only textbooks released through its official channels are valid and authentic.

NCERT warns against fake textbooks

NCERT said it noticed that unauthorized copies of its books are being circulated in both printed and digital form. According to the council, one fake version of the Class 9 Social Science Part 1 textbook, called Understanding Society: India and Beyond, has been widely shared online.

This fake version reportedly includes content related to the Emergency period of 1975–77, which quickly caught public attention.

The council said this material could be incomplete, changed, or even completely made up. It warned that students should not study from such copies because they may contain wrong information.

NCERT explained that its books are published only through official sources. Any book shared before the official release should be treated as suspicious.

The council also reminded people that sharing pirated textbooks is illegal under India’s Copyright Act, 1957, and other laws.

NCERT wrote that people involved in creating or spreading these fake books could face legal action.

To avoid confusion, NCERT asked everyone to use only trusted sources such as:

• The official NCERT website

• ePathshala app

• Authorized book sellers

This step is important because millions of students in India use NCERT books for their school education and competitive exams.

Officials say fake books can harm students by giving them wrong or misleading knowledge.

Why the Emergency chapter caused debate

The controversy began after reports claimed that a chapter in the Class 9 Social Science textbook talks about the Emergency imposed in India from 1975 to 1977.

According to the reported text, the chapter says that one of the biggest challenges to Indian democracy came during this period.

It explains that public anger against the government of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was growing in the early 1970s.

The chapter reportedly says that in June 1975, a National Emergency was declared because of “internal disturbance.”

During this time:

• Fundamental Rights were suspended

• Press freedom was restricted

• Many political leaders and activists were arrested

These facts are part of India’s political history, but they often become sensitive because of political opinions.

The Emergency remains one of the most debated periods in Indian democracy.

Some people see it as a time when democratic rights were badly affected, while others believe the full political context should also be discussed.

This is why the appearance of the chapter created a strong reaction online.

However, NCERT has now said that the version being shared is fake, which means the actual official textbook may be different.

This has increased confusion among students and teachers.

At the same time, another controversy has also emerged around NCERT textbooks.

A Karnataka-based education rights group has raised concerns about a new Class 6 Kannada textbook.

The group, called People’s Alliance for Fundamental Rights to Education (PAFRE), accused NCERT of trying to “saffronise” education.

They claimed that the new textbook, titled Krishna, gives too much focus to religious ideas while not giving enough importance to Karnataka’s local culture.

PAFRE said Karnataka’s rich literary and cultural history should have been better represented.

The group mentioned important names like:

• Adikavi Pampa

• Kuvempu

• Kota Shivaram Karanth

• Basavanna

They questioned why NCERT chose the name Krishna for the textbook instead of something linked to Karnataka’s own heritage.

The group also said that this reflects a larger trend under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, where mythology and religion are getting more space in school books.

NCERT has not yet responded in detail to these allegations.

The back-to-back controversies have brought school textbooks into the spotlight once again.

Education experts say textbooks should always be based on facts, balance, and academic honesty.

They also say fake books are a serious problem because they can spread misinformation very quickly.

For students preparing for exams, using the correct textbook is extremely important.

NCERT’s latest warning is meant to stop confusion and protect the quality of school education.

The council has asked people to report any suspicious or fake textbook copies.

As the debate continues, students and teachers are being reminded to verify their study material carefully and depend only on official educational sources.